We have designed and built a diffractometer which makes Mossbauer diff
raction experiments on powder and polycrystalline samples feasible on
a time scale of a few days with a moderately strong radioactive source
(20-50 mCi). The diffractometer uses a cylindrical focusing geometry
which can work in a symmetrical or asymmetrical mode. The latter makes
possible the measurements on oriented powders, textured polycrystalli
ne or single-crystal samples. The angular resolution and the mechanica
l stability of the diffractometer was tested.